On Thursday 13th December, Fianna Fail members gathered in the Keadeen Hotel to choose their candidates for the Newbridge district in next May’s local elections. Councillor Robert Power and Noel Heavey were selected.

By all accounts it was a smooth transfer of “Power” as sitting Councillor for Newbridge and Mayor of Kildare, Sean Power did not contest the convention having previously announced that he would stand down at the end of this term. His son, Robert, will now take up the mantle in the Newbridge area, half of which has been moved from the Naas district where he has been a Councillor since 2014.

The new district takes in Caragh, Ladytown, Kilcullen, Brannockstown and Twomilehouse formerly of the Naas local electoral area. It also includes Clongorey, Athgarvan and of course the town of Newbridge itself.